LaVern Trepp

"LaVern Trepp" IRON MOUNTAIN - LaVern O. Trepp, 87, died Saturday, April 23, 2005, at the VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain. LaVern was born in Kief, N.D. on Dec. 8, 1917, to Clarence and Freada Trepp. He attended school in Niagara, Wis., Kingsford, and graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1936. He went on to study chemistry at Augustana College. As a young man, LaVern was active in ski jumping, was a charter member of the Kiwanis Ski Club. At the age of 22, he was preparing to compete at the newly constructed Pine Mountain ski jump and attempted the first descent of the hill that resulted in a broken hip that terminated his jumping career. He went on to become an accomplished alpine skier and represented the Midwest Central Division in regional and national competitions. When our country engaged in World War II, LaVern enlisted in the 87th Mountain Infantry, the original ski troops that soon joined with the 85th and 86th infantry to become the first 10th Mountain Division. He trained in various capacities in Colorado, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Wisconsin and Canada, and then went on to serve in the Asiatic Pacific and European theaters. He was awarded the Combat Medic Badge and Bronze Star Medal during combat in Italy. LaVern returned to Iron Mountain after his discharge in 1945, acquired the Pine Mountain Alpine Ski Facility that had remained closed during the war and proceeded to rebuild and open the area in December of that year. LaVern focused on the ski business and worked to grow the operation. Not too many years had passed when he met, grew to love and was joined by marriage to Gloria Fern Johnson from Chicago, who had been a frequent visitor to Pine Mountain. Together, they were blessed with four sons and a daughter. Over the years, he has served as a director of the Chamber of Commerce, the Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association and he has chaired the United Way Fund drive. LaVern was appointed by Governor Swainson to a study commission for ski area safety and served four governors on the Michigan Ski Area Safety Board where he chaired for eight years. He has held several positions with the United States Ski Association Central Division including chairman of the Ski Teachers Certification Committee and Alpine Competition Committee. LaVern was an organizer, board member and president of the Central Ski Areas Association; a board member of the National Ski Area Association and the American National Standards Institute for aerial tramways. More recently, he also served as a board member of the National Ski Hall of Fame. In retirement, LaVern enjoyed golf. He traveled visiting relatives and friends in other areas of the country. He learned to construct radio-controlled aircraft and was active in a local club. Most of all, he enjoyed time with his children and grandchildren. LaVern was a lifelong member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. He was a past Master of Iron Mountain Masonic Lodge 388, a former member of Kiwanis, the Elks Lodge, the Chippewa Club and the Pine Grove Country Club. LaVern joins his wife, Gloria and a son, Wendell, in a better place. A daughter, Andrea; three sons, Devereaux, Laird and Erik and six grandchildren survive him. Visitation will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain from 10 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Tuesday. The Masonic Lodge will conduct a memorial service at 11:45 a.m. at the church. Funeral services will follow at noon on Tuesday at the church. Rev. Stephen Cowen will officiate. Burial will be in Dickinson County Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his memory. Condolences may be expressed to the family of LaVern Trepp online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain to handle the funeral arrangements.

LaVern Trepp

April 23, 1918 - April 23, 2005